Joyce Celebrates “Participation Oscar” with Conwy Youth Homeless Outreach Team

Joyce Spencer, a volunteer with Conwy Youth Homeless Outreach Team celebrated her success at winning the “Ruth Radley Outstanding Achievement in participation Award at the 2008 TPAS Cymru Participation Awards held on Thursday 15th May 2008, at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff.

The TPAS Cymru Participation Awards, also known as the “Participation Oscars” celebrates and recognises the work of tenants and landlords in their communities who work together to make improvements to services and neighbourhoods.

Joyce, who has experienced homeless herself on a number of occasions, decided to use her experience to try and prevent other young people from following in her footsteps. After attending a 15 week training course which helped Joyce to develop her skills and confidence, Joyce has been a key member of the outreach team in delivering homelessness awareness raising sessions in local high schools in the Conwy area. Joyce has also been involved in a number of initiatives as a volunteer with Conwy Youth Homeless Outreach Team helping to launch a lunch club, designing leaflets and questionnaire – all at the tender age of 21.

The main sponsors of the Participation Awards are Wales & West Housing Association. Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing Association said, “It’s always a pleasure to sponsor and support the TPAS Cymru Tenant Participation Awards. We have much to be proud of in Wales with the way in which tenants get involved in their community. As landlords, it’s important that we listen to tenants and learn from them. These awards are an opportunity to rightly reward those nominated by other tenants for the hard work and time they give to their community.”

The TPAS Cymru Participation Awards present an opportunity for Tenants and Landlords to be recognised for projects and participation efforts, and to share good practice across Wales. They are nominated by people in the communities where they operate. The judging of nominations is carried out by an independent panel of professionals working in the field of Housing.

This year TPAS Cymru received over 50 nominations for the nine Participation Awards categories, from across Wales. The submissions were of a high standard and they truly captured the attention of the judges, not only in terms of the written material and detailed explanation of projects but for the imaginative range of participation projects and initiatives being undertaken in the Principality.

John Drysdale, Director, TPAS Cymru said: “Winners of TPAS Cymru Participation Awards are always hugely pleased to have their effort and their achievements recognised. And they are right to be proud because their work is having a real beneficial impact in their communities.

Tenant participation is now established and recognised as essential to good running of housing and communities. But practices and resources still vary widely across Wales – some good and sometimes bad. The Participation Awards enable TPAS to find good examples and worthwhile lessons and to share them so that standards are raised throughout Wales. It’s great to be able to celebrate success!”